The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

New and exciting things are happening at Big Sandy Senior Center!

Big Sandy Senior Center has started new activities. If you haven’t been to the senior center in a while, we have a whole calendar of activities we are offering; bingo, trivia, arts and crafts, and more to come. These activities aren’t just for well-seasoned persons, but fun for the whole family! Do you enjoy the high school games but can’t make the out-of-town games? No need to worry! If it’s available to stream, the senior center will be airing all the out-of-town games at the Senior Center. Be sure to like our Facebook Page, this is where new things can be seen, and any changes that happen are posted.

We have started a newsletter called Pioneer Pals. This features members of our community and some fun crosswords, trivia, and our upcoming community events. You can find a copy of the newsletter at Big Sandy Library, Hair I am, The Grocery Store, and Agri-Prairie insurance.

We have a display area of all open and closing dates for helpful programs, such as the LIEAP (Low-Income Energy Assistance Program), LIWAP (Low Income Water Assistance Program). These programs are available starting October 1st through April 30th. The Medicaid/SNAP, Montana Lifespan Respite, Care respite voucher programs are open year-round. Medicare open enrollment starts on October 15th; we have assistance available if you need help with any of these programs.

We are open to ideas that will help the Big Sandy Senior Center and the whole community of Big Sandy.

Recipe of the week:

Low-Carb

Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf

Ingredients

Meatloaf:

nonstick cooking spray

1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground pork

6 medium mushrooms, minced

½ medium onion, diced

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 large egg

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 ½ teaspoons dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pinch red pepper flakes (Optional)

6 slices bacon, cut in half

Sauce:

2 cups tomato sauce

3 tablespoons reduced-sugar ketchup

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon garlic powder

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Mix together ground beef, ground pork, mushrooms, onion, mozzarella cheese, egg, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl until well combined. Form into a loaf shape and place in the middle of the prepared baking dish.

Mix together tomato sauce, ketchup, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for sauce in a small bowl; pour over the meatloaf. Place bacon slices on top of the meatloaf.

Bake, uncovered, in the preheated oven until bacon is cooked and meatloaf is no longer pink in the center, about 45 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).